Thursday, October 15, 2009
Breast Cancer Happens To Men Too!
Breast Cancer is NOT just a disease of women. Over 2000 men are affected with this disease each year and - unfortunately - 25% of the cases will be fatal.
Dr. Samir Kheiri, a hematologist and medical oncologist at Geisinger Medical Center stated that although women are more likely to develop breast cancer, men also have breast tissue that can become cancerous. Patients are usually between the ages of 60 and 70 and men need to be aware of those things that can increase their risk. Exposure to high levels of radiation, excessive alcohol intake, high levels of estrogen all are things that can increase the chance of developing breast cancer.
Most men do not think about breast cancer, but they should be aware of any lumps in their chest, especially those that may develop around the nipple. These should be checked out immediately by their physician. Treatment options are basically the same as for women and may involve removing the breast as well as lymph nodes.
Breast cancer in men is quite rare when compared to women, however, men need to be alert to any changes in their chest area. The death rate in men is much higher proportionately than in women - which could be due to the fact that the breast tissue is subcutaneous in men and tumors are not detected as early.
Individuals in todays "westernized" society are exposed to lots of estrogens that are created from environmental pollutants, from our food sources due to fattening of our cattle, pork and poultry quickly in order to get them to market, and of course from pesticides etc. that are used in raising our fruits and vegetables. Our water supplies are also getting polluted with estrogen from the high levels of birth control pills and hormones that women are prescribed.
Inform yourself and commit to eating a healthy diet.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.
Dr. Samir Kheiri, a hematologist and medical oncologist at Geisinger Medical Center stated that although women are more likely to develop breast cancer, men also have breast tissue that can become cancerous. Patients are usually between the ages of 60 and 70 and men need to be aware of those things that can increase their risk. Exposure to high levels of radiation, excessive alcohol intake, high levels of estrogen all are things that can increase the chance of developing breast cancer.
Most men do not think about breast cancer, but they should be aware of any lumps in their chest, especially those that may develop around the nipple. These should be checked out immediately by their physician. Treatment options are basically the same as for women and may involve removing the breast as well as lymph nodes.
Breast cancer in men is quite rare when compared to women, however, men need to be alert to any changes in their chest area. The death rate in men is much higher proportionately than in women - which could be due to the fact that the breast tissue is subcutaneous in men and tumors are not detected as early.
Individuals in todays "westernized" society are exposed to lots of estrogens that are created from environmental pollutants, from our food sources due to fattening of our cattle, pork and poultry quickly in order to get them to market, and of course from pesticides etc. that are used in raising our fruits and vegetables. Our water supplies are also getting polluted with estrogen from the high levels of birth control pills and hormones that women are prescribed.
Inform yourself and commit to eating a healthy diet.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.
